KIDS GUIDE 2023

2023 KIDS ’ Guide

Fun Days Out Choosing a School Family Travel Tips Parents’ Views Food Focus

Baby Products Becoming aMum Enrichment Classes

StayingHealthy Trivia & Games

EDITORS’NOTE

While Singapore can be a great place to raise children (no need to fret about them having cold tootsies, for one thing!), some expat parents really feel the geographical distance from home. There can be a limited supply of grandmothers, aunties, old friends and that family GP who’s been around for generations to dispense bandages and cough medicine. That’s one key reasonwhy we put out our Kids’ Guide each year (and this is our 14th edition!) – to fill this gap. We want to help you through someof the challenges of parenthood, by answeringyour important family questions and allowing you tomake themost of your time in Singapore. If you’vegot a newbaby and you’re strugglingwith sleep, or you need a fun new activity for a bored toddler, our panel of mums have put some honest advice down onpaper, on these issues and many others. A big thanks to them fromus! We’ve also chatted to a couple of dads to get their take on bringing up kids. For thosewithtweensor teens,we’vegot ahugeguide toschools and extracurricular activities – think holiday camps, art classes, sports coaching, coding clubs and more. You’ll also find shopping recommendations, travel tips, a section on family wellness and some fun distractions, from trivia about newborns (they don’t have kneecaps!) and ideas for baby shower games to a Spot-the-Difference for little ones to try. Finally, if you have any extra questions or a piece of your own advice to add, get in touch. Singapore changes so rapidly that it can sometimes be hard to keep up!

@expatlivingSG

KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 6

FIND YOUR EXCELLENCE HERE

From a very young age, I developed a love for art and design. I dreamed of one day attending a world-renowned university and becoming a well known designer. My time at Stamford American helped me realize this dream could become a reality. The BTEC Art & Design program at SAIS was the highlight of my time there. It allowed me to create my own educational path and develop the skills and mindset required to realize my dream. At Stamford American, I learned that success was more than just getting the best grades, but rather becoming the best me, and finding my excellence. I’m now attending the University of the Arts London, and am one step closer to realizing my dream.

Katerina Federov Class of 2022 Stamford American International School

21/2/2020 – 20/2/2024

Stamford American International School CPE Registration Number: 200823594D Period of registration: August 9, 2022 to August 8, 2026

Editor-in-Chief REBECCA BISSET Group Editor

SHAMUS SILLAR Copy Editor JULIET KEYS

Kids’ Guide Editors PATRICEA CHOW DEEPA CHEVI AMY GREENBURG YIMIN HUANG GEORGINA HOCKLEY Client Services (Ads) NUR HANANI KAMAL LUDDIN Production JUDIT GÁL Graphic Designers MICHAEL BERNABE JEANNE WONG SITI SHAHIRAH KHIRUDEEN Advertising Sales KARIN GALLEY DANIELLE ROSSETTI LARA SAGE JACQUI YOUNG Events & Partnerships SUSAN KNUDSEN-PICKLES Chief Operations Officer COLIN PURCHASE

Cover: White RoomStudio

CONTACT US Call or WhatsApp: +65 9112 0652

General Enquiries: info@expatliving.sg Advertising Sales: sales@expatliving.sg Subscription: subscription@expatliving.sg Production: production@expatliving.sg Editorial: editorial@expatliving.sg Calendar of Events: calendar@expatliving.sg Events: events@expatliving.sg Websites: expatliving.sg | expatliving.hk Printed by Times Printers Pte Ltd (timesprinters.com) Published by Expat Living Publications Pte Ltd 36 Carpenter Street, #02-01 Carpenter Haus, Singapore 059915

Marketing, Circulation & Administration ANNA TSERLINGAS VEENA GILL

KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 8

43 BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS Preschools, Kindergartens & Learning Centres 57 ACTIVE & INSPIRED 58 Favourite Panel Activities 61 Arts & Learning 69 Holiday Camps & Academies 79 Sports & Play 88 Managing Screen Time 91 HAPPY &HEALTHY 93 Avoiding A&E 94 Dental Care for Kids 97 Making Brushing Fun 99 Special Focus: Counselling & Therapy 110 Losing the Baby Weight 112 When to Wean 116

14 16

About Expat Living

Meet The Panel 19 BUMPS TOBABES 20 Newborn Facts & Figures 22 The Panel on Parenting 25 Tips on Finding the Right Doctor 30 Baby Shower Ideas 32 Managing Morning Sickness 34 Crazy Cravings 35 Sleep: The Holy Grail 38 Mother’s Milk: Breastfeeding

Foodies & Fusspots!

43

Preschool profiles

69

Holiday camp ideas

KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 10

174

Family photographers

119 IN THE

CLASSROOM International Schools & Specialist Education Services 167 SHOPPING FOR KIDS 168 Parents’ Essentials 170 The Best Baby Products 173 Ideas for Kids’ Rooms 174 Photography & Cooking 180 Retail Roundup 184 Must-have Apps 185 OUT &ABOUT 186 Choosing a Neighbourhood 187 Public Transport Tips

200

On being a dad

188 The Panel on

Prams & Car Seats

191 Singapore Staycations 196 Travelling with Kids 200 DADS’ CORNER

Talking Parenthood with Fathers

173

206 Important Numbers 207 Our Advertisers 208 Fun for Kids: Spot the Difference!

Kids’ furniture

KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 12

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KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 14

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I’ve been living in Singapore with my husband Tim, three children, Jake (10), Charlie (8) and Alex (5), and our dog Ash since 2018. We previously lived in Geneva for 12 years and before that Melbourne. We moved here to be closer to home while still enjoying the fantastic travel and lifestyle options that Singapore offers. I work as a freelance communications specialist, with clients here and in Australia, the US and Europe. LAURIAN

Each year in our Kids’ Guide, we welcome the contributions of mums who share their experiences of parenting in Singapore – frompregnancy challenges and joys to delivery tales and tips, plus looking after newborns, toddlers and beyond. You’ll find their words of wisdom and wit throughout the following pages. First, though, here’s a bit about them!

We’re from the Central Coast of New SouthWales, Australia. My family moved here just before the Circuit Breaker in January 2020. This is our third year in Singapore, but it feels like our first! I have two daughters, Aurelia (11) and Mirabelle (8). JULIA

I was born and raised in Adelaide, Australia. We moved to Singapore for the first time in 2009 with no kids, leaving for Dubai in 2014. We’ve been back since 2019, this time with three kids in tow! I work part-time as a general dentist at Orange Orthodontics in Lucky Plaza and I also tutor oral health therapist students at NUCOHS. Each of my kids (two girls, ten and six, and a four-year-old son) was born in a different country. AMANDA

KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 16 MEET THE PANEL

MEET THE PANEL

Originally from Montreal, I moved to Singapore three years ago, after spending two and half years in Shanghai. I have one daughter who just turned 14 months old, who I’m now taking care of full time. MARIE

I’m an Australian serial expat, having lived in London for four years and Singapore for almost 13 (over two stints). I’m happily married with four children: two girls, Minnie (13) andWilla (11), and two boys, Teddie (7) and Gilbert (5). I’m an editor at Expat Living and was a lawyer in a past life pre-kids. GEORGINA

I’m Singaporean and currently a full-time working mum as a marketing and communications director. I’m married to an Italian and we have two active children, Alessia (8) and Alessandro (6). JASMINE

I’m a full-time investment risk management

advisor and a fuller time mother based in Singapore. When I’m not planning activities to intrigue my kids, I’m sharing my motherhood journey frommy heart with my friends and also my clients (I’m an open book!). TINA

I’m from Sweden and have lived in Asia for the last nine years (India for a year and a half, China for three, and now Singapore). I work in the recruiting field for Meta. I have one son, Felix, who is 1.5 years old, and I’m expecting my second son in January. LOUISE

expatliving.sg KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 17

BUMPS & BABES

BUMPS & BEYOND

Tania Kolinko | Shutterstock.com

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and advice for mums

expatliving.sg KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 19

Babies in the womb can detect differences between dark and light. At birth, they’re very short-sighted, but they ƤƇǾ٪ǼƇǯƲ٪ȉɍɅ٪ȷǕƇȬƲȷؘ٪½ǕƲ٪˚ȯȷɅ٪Ƥȉdzȉɍȯ٪ they recognise, however, is the primary colour red. After a week, they canmake out yellow, orange and green, too. Blues and purples take longer.

25 stats & facts about our bundles of joy Use them in a Baby Shower quiz! 206 300 0 Bones in an adult body KNEECAPS IN A BABY س vã٪¤ ½-jj ¯٪ vjã٪F§t٪ §Äv%٪ ¤§-¯ Oj٪ G- ش 150 A normal heart rate for a baby in the womb (almost double a normal adult heart rate) Bones in a baby (they fuse together as the baby grows!)

Hours in an ǛǾnjƇǾɅ ى ȷ٪˚ȯȷɅ٪ɬƲƇȯ

Hours an infant spends sleeping in ǛɅȷ٪˚ȯȷɅ٪ɬƲƇȯ٪ (around 62 percent of each day, compared to 33 percent for adults)

33 Approximate percentage of babies with a birthmark, according to some reports (other ˚ǍɍȯƲȷ٪ȷɍǍǍƲȷɅ٪ it’s as high as 80 percent)

Babies get hairy bodies in the ɦȉǼƣؘ٪jƇǾɍǍȉ٪Ǜȷ٪ȷȉnjɅ٪ƫȉɦǾɬ٪ hair that appears from around the fourth month of gestation, produced by foetal hair follicles. It usually falls off in the month or so before birth, but can still be present when they’re born. It’s replaced by a different, thinner kind of hair called vellus hair.

40

% ã¯٪F٪¯j--¤٪ ٪v-Ý٪ t½O-§٪j¯-¯٪v٪ Ü-§ G-٪ Uv٪½O-٪FU§¯½٪ã- §٪F٪ ٪ ã ى ¯٪jUF

5 Approximate

40 PERCENTAGE OF BABIES BORN IN THE TWOWEEKS AFTER THEIR “DUE DATE” 4 Percentage of babies that are born on their calculated “due date”

time in months that it takes a newborn to double its weight

KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 20

BUMPS & BABES

“Fetomaternal microchimerism” is the term given to the way a baby in the womb transfers stem cells into its mother’s organs if she has suffered some damage. While research into this is ongoing, it appears possible that a foetus can help repair mum’s body in some way. Amazing! 7,000 3 260 Number of new babies born every minute around the world, according to UN statistics

Argentinian man Emilio Marcos Palma – who, at the time of writing was presumably celebrating his nation’s World Cup victory! – was the first person born in Antarctica (in 1978 at Esperanza Base). Since then, around ten more births have been recorded in the world’s coldest continent. 3.3 AVERAGE WEIGHT, IN KILOGRAMS, OF

Number of nappies a baby might use between birth and toilet training

APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF TIMES A NEWBORN URINATES EVERY HOUR

A NEWBORN (WITH BOYS BEING SLIGHTLY LARGER ON AVERAGE THAN GIRLS) 51 Average length, in centimetres, of a newborn 300 Approximate

10K Number of pregnancies for every one instance of triplets

amount of blood, in millilitres, in a newborn (compared to 5 litres in an adult)

44 Age, in years, of

the English woman who was the first person born from IVF conception, back in 1978

3 AGE, IN MONTHS, OF A BABY WHEN IT FIRST BEGINS TO LAUGH

The word “infant” comes from the Latin word infans , meaning “speechless” or “unable to speak”. Fair enough, too: most babies are a year old before they can start using simple words, though many can understand basic words (“no” and “bye-bye”, to give two English language examples) by nine months.

expatliving.sg KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 21

BUMPS & BABES Pros & Cons for Mums

What are the three best things about being a mother in Singapore, and one thing you’re not so keen on?

I love the convenience; everything is easier here. And it’s so accessible; you’re just a short drive from ǍȯƲƇɅ٪ȬdzƇƤƲȷ٪dzǛǯƲ٪GƇȯƫƲǾȷ٪ by the Bay. Also, there’s always something amazing going on somewhere in Singapore! Julia U٪jÜ-٪½O-٪¯ F-½ã٪ v%٪¯- ħU½ã؛٪ãÄ٪ v٪ Ý jg٪ ½٪vUGO½٪ v%٪gvÝ٪ ãÄ ى jj٪§- O٪Ot-٪¯ F-jãؘ٪ ¯UvG ¤§-٪O ¯٪¦Ä jU½ã٪ U§٪ v%٪t vã٪¯t jj٪¤ g-½¯٪ F٪G§--v-§ã٪-Ü-v٪½OÄGO٪ ½O-§-٪ §-v ى ½٪t vã٪v ½Ä§ j٪ ¯ -vU ٪ÜU-ݯؘ٪U½ ى ¯٪ j¯٪¯٪ §G vU¯-%ؙ٪-FFU U-v½٪ v%٪ §%-§jãؙ٪ v%٪-Ü-§ã½OUvG٪ O-§-٪U¯٪ Ü Uj j-٪F§٪ OUj%§-v٪Uv jÄ%UvG٪F tUjã ف F§U-v%jã٪§-¯½ ħ v½¯ؙ٪ ¯O¤¤UvG٪t jj¯٪ÝU½O٪ vħ¯UvG٪§t¯ؙ٪ v%٪¯٪ t vã٪Ä½%§٪ v%٪Uv%§٪ ¤j ãG§Äv%¯ؘ Jasmine I like the weather, it makes it easy to go out with my son without having to wear several layers of clothes. It’s kid-friendly. People always showmuch care for my son and there are many fun playgrounds to visit and activities to do. We get exposed to different cultures on a daily basis, which is a great learning experience both for me and my son! Louise

PROS

Singapore’s healthcare is one of the best in the world. Back home, it’s not uncommon to be waitlisted or dismissed when seeking medical attention due to the lack of resources, so I love the certainty that if my child is unwell, she will receive appropriate and timely care. Singapore is incredibly safe, which is great when you’re out and about with a toddler! I can go for an evening walk with my daughter, I’m not worried when bringing her to playdates, and if a stranger gets close to say hi, I know they probably mean no harm. There are plenty of child-friendly activities in Singapore, with well maintained indoor and outdoor playgrounds, public parks, tourist attractions, and so on. Marie

The year-round balmy weather! My kids lead a very active, outdoor lifestyle. We love swimming and having barbecues at home, which in this climate can happen any day of the week. It’s a great place to raise kids, with loads of fun family activities to keep us busy. We love a beach day out on Sentosa, zooming down the Luge and lazing at Tanjong Beach Club. The easy travel around the region isn’t bad either! The help – I’d be lost without our amazing helper Antonia. She is my right hand providing the support I need to survive and thrive with four kids, work and a travelling husband.

Georgina

KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 22

BUMPS & BABES

OƇɥǛǾǍ٪ǕƲdzȬ٪ǕƇȷ٪ƣƲƲǾ٪dzǛnjƲ ع ƤǕƇǾǍǛǾǍ٪njȉȯ٪ǼƲؘ٪ jǛǯƲ٪ȷȉ٪ǼƇǾɬ٪ǼȉɅǕƲȯȷؙ٪ƲɫȬƇɅ٪ȉȯ٪ǾȉɅؙ٪ɦǕƲǾ٪U٪ɦƇȷ٪ juggling small children and a husband who travelled frequently, life was more about surviving than thriving. In Switzerland, I felt far from home and family, and like I was working only to pay ȷȉǼƲȉǾƲ٪ƲdzȷƲ٪Ʌȉ٪dzȉȉǯ٪ƇnjɅƲȯ٪Ǽɬ٪ƤǕǛdzƫȯƲǾؘ٪tȉɥǛǾǍ٪ to Singapore gave me an incredible opportunity to really enjoy motherhood. I didn’t have to worry about doing 17 loads of washing instead of sitting with my son when he struggled to go to sleep, I didn’t have to worry about coming back to a sink full of dishes when I spent the entire day ȉɍɅ٪ɦǛɅǕ٪ɅǕƲ٪ǯǛƫȷ٪ƇɅ٪ɅǕƲ٪ȬƇȯǯؘ٪OƇɥǛǾǍ٪ƫȉǼƲȷɅǛƤ٪ help has given our family, and especially me, the spontaneity back in our lives. I love having the opportunity for our kids to grow up somewhere with such an array of cultures being celebrated and watching them learn to appreciate so many different people and ideas. I also love the weather here and the ability to be outside every day of the year (I do not miss the cold!). Laurian

The three best things about being a mother in Singapore are that it’s safe, clean and has no lack of activities for children. Tina

CONS

¯٪ ٪jvG ف ½-§t٪-⤠½٪ -UvG٪ Ý ã٪F§٪Ü-§٪ֿׄ٪ã- §¯ؙ٪ ½O-٪O §%-¯½٪¤ §½٪F٪jUÜUvG٪ Uv٪¯UvG ¤§-٪U¯٪tU¯¯UvG٪Ä½٪ v٪F tUjã٪tUj-¯½v-¯٪ v%٪ ¯¤- U j٪ ¯Uv¯٪jUg-٪ U§½O¯ؙ٪ U§½O% ã¯٪ v%٪- ¯½-§ؘ٪Ý-٪ ¯Ut¤jã٪ v ى ½٪G٪ g٪F§٪ -Ü-§ã½OUvGؘ٪ Georgina I am not so keen on the idea that it will be hard for the kids to legally work here as they get older, in part time jobs. This was a really important part of growing up for both myself and my husband. Laurian

OƇɥǛǾǍ٪Ƈ٪ǕƲdzȬƲȯ؝٪U٪ƫǛƫǾ ى Ʌ٪ǕƇɥƲ٪Ƈ٪ǕƲdzȬƲȯ٪ɅǕƲ٪dzƇȷɅ٪ ɅǛǼƲ٪ɦƲ٪dzǛɥƲƫ٪ǕƲȯƲ٪ȉȯ٪ɦǕƲǾ٪ɦƲ٪ɦƲȯƲ٪ǛǾ٪%ɍƣƇǛؘ٪ ɍɅ٪ this time round, I couldn’t cope without her. I love being able to rush out the house in the morning and know when I come back, everything will be ƤdzƲƇǾ٪ƇǾƫ٪ɅǛƫɬؘ٪ÝƲ ى ȯƲ٪ȷȉ٪ȷȬȉǛdzɅ٪ǕƲȯƲ؝٪ There are so many fun activities to entertain the ǯǛƫȷ٪ɦǛɅǕؘ٪½ǕƲ٪íȉȉؙ٪§ǛɥƲȯ٪ÝȉǾƫƲȯؙ٪vǛǍǕɅ٪¯ƇnjƇȯǛ؜٪ Ȭdzɍȷ٪ƇǼƇɶǛǾǍ٪ȬdzƇɬǍȯȉɍǾƫȷؙ٪ÄǾǛɥƲȯȷƇdz٪¯ɅɍƫǛȉȷؙ٪ ¯ƲǾɅȉȷƇؙ٪GƇȯƫƲǾȷ٪ƣɬ٪ɅǕƲ٪ Ƈɬؙ٪ɅǕƲ٪dzǛȷɅ٪ǍȉƲȷ٪ȉǾ٪ƇǾƫ٪ on. You’re never bored here – even just hanging by the pool, which is possible most days in Singapore. tɬ٪ǼɍǼ٪ɅȯǛƣƲ؝٪ ƲǛǾǍ٪ƲɫȬƇɅȷؙ٪ɬȉɍ٪ƫȉǾ ى Ʌ٪ɍȷɍƇdzdzɬ٪ have family to rely on, on a daily basis, so my new mum friends became like family. I don’t think I would have survived without themwhen I had my ˚ȯȷɅ٪ƣƇƣɬؘ٪U٪dzȉɥƲ٪ǛǾ٪¯ǛǾǍƇȬȉȯƲ٪ɅǕƇɅ٪U٪ƤƇǾ٪ȬȉȬ٪ǾƲɫɅ٪ door and have a coffee while the kids play, or meet up at a playground to vent about anything, get advice or just have some adult conversation. It’s so important for your mental health to have that break, so I felt really lucky to have great support. ½ǕƲȯƲ٪ƇȯƲ٪ȷȉ٪ǼƇǾɬ٪FƇƤƲƣȉȉǯ٪ǍȯȉɍȬȷ٪njȉȯ٪ǾƲɦ٪ mums – put up a post and you’ll get a response almost immediately. Amanda

expatliving.sg KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 23

BUMPS & BABES

I THINK THE COST OF CHILDREN’S

CLOTHING, TOYS AND ENTERTAINMENT IS HIGHER HERE THAN IN AUSTRALIA. (AND DON’T GET ME STARTED ABOUT THE PRICE OF BIRTHDAY PARTIES!) Julia

The cost of schooling can be eye watering – that’s probably my biggest issue with living here. Amanda

THE OBVIOUS LESS POSITIVE ASPECT IS THAT WE’RE FAR AWAY FROM FAMILY. Louise

Although the weather is comfortable, my

I WISH SINGAPORE WAS LESS HOT SO WE COULD ENJOY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WITHOUT BEING SCORCHED! THE IDEAL TIME TO BE OUT IS BEFORE 10.30AM AND AFTER 4PM, OR WHENEVER IT’S CLOUDY. Tina

toddler doesn’t get to experience different seasons like she would elsewhere. Some activities that were part of my childhood, such as apple picking in the fall or playing in the snow, might not be part of hers. Marie

Name That Baby! According to American media company BabyCenter, these are the ten most popular first names of girls and boys born in the US in 2022:

Olivia Emma Amelia Sophia Isabella Ava

Liam Noah Oliver Elijah Mateo Lucas Asher James Levi

Luna

I’M NOT SO KEEN ON THE ACADEMIC “CHASE” IN SINGAPORE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE BIGGER KIDS. Jasmine

Mia

Charlotte

Evelyn

Leo

KIDS’ GUIDE 2023 24

BUMPS & BABES Did You Know? ½ǕƲȯƲ٪ɦƲȯƲ٪ׁ׆ؙׅׄ׀٪ƣƇƣǛƲȷ٪ƣȉȯǾ٪ǛǾ٪ ¯ǛǾǍƇȬȉȯƲ٪ǛǾ٪׀־׀ֿؙ٪ɍȬ٪ɥƲȯɬ٪ȷdzǛǍǕɅdzɬ٪ from the previous year.

Ask Your Doc! Every woman has different preferences for childbirth, so you should do plenty of research and visit a number of obstetricians if possible. It’s important that you feel comfortable, because you’ll be sharing intimate andpersonal ƫƲɅƇǛdzȷ٪ɦǛɅǕ٪ ɅǕƲǼؘ٪ OƲȯƲ٪ ƇȯƲ٪ some useful questions – from basictocomplex–thatyoumay want to get answered before choosing your obstetrician. 1 ن ÝǕǛƤǕ٪ǕȉȷȬǛɅƇdzȷ٪ƫȉ٪ɬȉɍ٪ ƇɅɅƲǾƫ؟ ه 2 “Are you ava i l ab l e around my estimated ƫɍƲ٪ƫƇɅƲ؟ ٪ه 3 “If you’re unexpectedly not around at the time I give birth, whowould be your ƣƇƤǯɍȬ٪ƫȉƤɅȉȯ؟ ه 4 ن Oȉɦ٪ ǛǾɥȉdzɥƲƫ٪ƤƇǾ٪ U٪ƣƲ٪ in the decision-making process during pregnancy ƇǾƫ٪dzƇƣȉɍȯ؟ ه Doctors &Hospitals 10 ن ÝǕƇɅ٪ ƫȉ٪ ɬȉɍ٪ ɅǕǛǾǯ٪ about time limits for dzƇƣȉɍȯǛǾǍ؟ ه 11 ن Oȉɦ٪ȉnjɅƲǾ٪ƫȉ٪ɬȉɍ٪ɍȷƲ٪ forceps or vacuum ƲɫɅȯƇƤɅǛȉǾ٪Ʌȉ٪ƫƲdzǛɥƲȯ٪Ƈ٪ƣƇƣɬ؟ ه 12 ن ÝǛdzdz٪ U٪ ƣƲ٪ ƇƣdzƲ٪ Ʌȉ٪ ǕƇɥƲ٪ skin-to-skin contact with my baby and start breastfeeding shortly after ɅǕƲ٪ƣǛȯɅǕ؟ ه 13 “Areyouwillingto letme have a vaginal birth for my secondbaby even though U٪ǕƇƫ٪Ǽɬ٪njǛȯȷɅ٪ɥǛƇ٪ƤƇƲȷƇȯƲƇǾ؟ ه 14 ن Oȉɦ٪ ƫȉ ٪ ɬȉɍ ٪ nj ƲƲ dz٪ about vaginal breech birth? If you support it, what ƤȉǾƫǛɅǛȉǾȷ٪ƫȉ٪ɬȉɍ٪ǕƇɥƲ؟ ه 15 ن Oȉɦ٪ ƫȉ٪ ɬȉɍ٪ǼƇǾƇǍƲ٪ the thirdstageof labour, the birth of the placenta? %ȉ٪ ɬȉɍ٪ Ƈdzdzȉɦ٪ ǛɅ٪ Ʌȉ٪ ǕƇȬȬƲǾ٪ naturally, or do you intervene and give an injection to expel ɅǕƲ٪ȬdzƇƤƲǾɅƇ؟ ه 5 ن ÝǕ Ƈ Ʌ ٪ Ƈ ȯ Ʋ ٪ ɬ ȉ ɍ ȯ٪ thoughts on pain ȯƲdzǛƲnj٪ ǛǾ٪ dzƇƣȉɍȯ؟٪ %ȉ٪ ɬȉɍ٪ assume that everyone will relyonsomekindofmedical pain relief, or doyousupport and encourage natural pain ȯƲdzǛƲnj٪ǼƲɅǕȉƫȷ؟ ه 6 ن ÝǛ dz dz ٪ ɬȉɍ٪ ƇǾƫ٪ ɅǕƲ٪ hospital staff respect my birth plan but provide guidance if and when it ǾƲƲƫȷ٪Ʌȉ٪ƣƲ٪ƤǕƇǾǍƲƫ؟ ه 7 “Are you open to me having a doula at the ƣǛȯɅǕ؟ ه 8 ن ÝǕ Ƈ Ʌ ٪ Ƈ ȯ Ʋ ٪ ɬ ȉ ɍ ȯ٪ thoughtsonelectronic foetal monitoring during labour, and when do you ɅǕǛǾǯ٪ǛɅ٪ȷǕȉɍdzƫ٪ƣƲ٪ɍȷƲƫ؟ ه 9 ن ÝǕƇɅ٪ƇȯƲ٪ɬȉɍȯ٪ȯƇɅƲȷ٪njȉȯ٪ induction, caesarean section and episiotomy? In what situations do you consider or recommend ɅǕƲȷƲ؟ ٪ه

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BUMPS & BABES

Did you give birth here? Which hospital and doctor?

I gave birth to my eldest here in Singapore. I went to Dr Lai Fon Min at A Company for Women because he was convenient to where I was working at the time – I didn’t do any research, but he turned out to be amazing. Everything he suggested or advised he could back with research and articles; ne never pushed for anything, and always gave the pros and cons. I gave birth at Thomson Medical Centre – again, because of convenience. My post-delivery experience at TMC was incredible. We kept accidentally calling it a hotel instead of a hospital… The nurses were always there to help me out and give me advice, and there was so much food! Amanda

I gave birth at Thomson hospital with Dr Pamela Tan. Louise

U٪%-jUÜ-§-%٪

I gave birth at National University Hospital (NUH), with Professor Chong Yap Seng. I chose him as he is very pro-natural birth and low in intervention. I loved the quality of care but not the waiting times on doctor visits – I recall waiting two to three hours each visit, sometimes even four. Also, I wanted a water birth so I didn’t have that many options; only NUH and TMC did that four years ago. Tina I gave birth in Switzerland. Like Singapore, it has very high standards of health care; it’s also a medically conservative country. Laurian

½٪§ FFj-¯٪ O¯¤U½ j؛٪tã٪ Gãv -٪Ý ¯٪%§٪ ½vã٪½ vؘ Jasmine

U٪G Ü-٪ U§½O٪ ½٪ tÄv½٪-jUí -½O٪ vÜ-v ٪Äv%-§٪½O-٪ §-٪F٪%§٪Ý-v%ã٪½-ؘ٪ ½O-٪O¯¤U½ j٪¯½ FF٪Ý ¯٪ §UvG٪ v%٪O-j¤FÄjؘ Marie

U٪ǕƇƫ٪Ǽɬ٪˚ȯȷɅ٪ƫƇɍǍǕɅƲȯ٪ tǛǾǾǛƲ٪ƇɅ٪GdzƲǾƲƇǍdzƲȷ٪OȉȷȬǛɅƇdz٪ ǛǾ٪׀־־ׇ٪ɦǛɅǕ٪%ȯ٪j٪ ٪FȉȉǾǍؙ٪Ƈ٪ British-trained Singaporean with Ƈ٪ƫǛɥǛǾƲ٪ƣƲƫȷǛƫƲ٪ǼƇǾǾƲȯؘ٪ÝǛdzdzƇ٪ was born in Adelaide, Australia during our brief repatriation at the same hospital where I was ƣȉȯǾؘ٪Ǿ٪ȯƲɅɍȯǾ٪Ʌȉ٪¯ǛǾǍƇȬȉȯƲؙ٪U٪ ǕƇƫ٪Ǽɬ٪Ʌɦȉ٪ƣȉɬȷ٪ƇɅ٪ɅǕƲ٪vÄOؘ٪ A doctor friend recommended it as an excellent hospital with lower cost delivery (our insurance didn’t cover birth). tɬ٪ƫȉƤɅȉȯ٪njȉȯ٪½ƲƫƫǛƲ٪ ־׀ح ֿ׃ ٪خ was Professor Arijit Biswas, but ɍǾnjȉȯɅɍǾƇɅƲdzɬ٪ǛɅ٪ɦƇȷ٪Ƈ٪ƫǛnj˚ƤɍdzɅ٪ Ʌɦȉ ع ƫƇɬ٪dzƇƣȉɍȯ؝٪tɬ٪ȉƣȷɅƲɅȯǛƤǛƇǾ٪ njȉȯ٪GǛdzƣƲȯɅ٪ ־׀ح ֿׅ ٪خ ɦƇȷ٪¤ȯȉnjƲȷȷȉȯ٪ Chong Yap Seng. I’ve since recommended him to friends, and he gave me the gift of a well-managed, calm birth. Georgina

Singapore Snapshot: The island’s hospitals Singapore’s tenpublic hospitals consist of eight general hospitals (Singapore GƲǾƲȯƇdz٪OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪vƇɅǛȉǾƇdz٪ÄǾǛɥƲȯȷǛɅɬ٪ OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪ ǕƇǾǍǛ٪ GƲǾƲȯƇdz٪ OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪ gǕȉȉ٪ ½ƲƤǯ٪ ¤ɍƇɅ٪ OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪ ½ƇǾ٪ ½ȉƤǯ٪ ¯ƲǾǍ٪ OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪ dzƲɫƇǾƫȯƇ٪ OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪ vǍ٪ ½ƲǾǍ٪ FȉǾǍ٪ GƲǾƲȯƇdz٪ OȉȷȬǛɅƇdz٪ ƇǾƫ٪ ¯ƲǾǍǯƇǾǍ٪GƲǾƲȯƇdz٪OȉȷȬǛɅƇdz خ ؙ٪Ƈ٪ɦȉǼƲǾ ى ȷ٪ ƇǾƫ٪ƤǕǛdzƫȯƲǾ ى ȷ٪ǕȉȷȬǛɅƇdz٪ ح gg٪ÝȉǼƲǾ ى ȷ٪ ٪ۂ ǕǛdzƫȯƲǾ ى ȷ٪OȉȷȬǛɅƇdz ٪خ ƇǾƫ٪ Ƈ٪ ȬȷɬƤǕǛƇɅȯɬ٪ ǕȉȷȬǛɅƇdz٪ ح UǾȷɅǛɅɍɅƲ٪ȉnj٪tƲǾɅƇdz٪OƲƇdzɅǕ خ ؘ Privatehospitals includeParkwayEast OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪GdzƲǾƲƇǍdzƲȷ٪OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪tȉɍǾɅ٪ dzɥƲȯǾǛƇ٪ OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪ tȉɍǾɅ٪ -dzǛɶƇƣƲɅǕ٪ OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪ tȉɍǾɅ٪ -dzǛɶƇƣƲɅǕ٪ vȉɥƲǾƇ٪ OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪ FƇȯȯƲȯ٪ ¤Ƈȯǯ٪OȉȷȬǛɅƇdzؙ٪ §ƇnjnjdzƲȷ٪ OȉȷȬǛɅƇdz٪ƇǾƫ٪½ǕȉǼȷȉǾ٪tƲƫǛƤƇdz٪ ƲǾɅȯƲؘ

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BUMPS & BABES

Did you use a doula? Tell us about your experience.

A good doula

½ǕƲ٪ ɦȉȯƫ٪ ƫȉɍdzƇ٪ ƫƲȯǛɥƲȷ٪ njȯȉǼ٪ ɅǕƲ٪ GȯƲƲǯ٪ ɦȉȯƫ٪ njȉȯ٪ ن njƲǼƇdzƲ٪ ȷdzƇɥƲ ه ؙ٪ ƣɍɅ٪ ɅȉƫƇɬ٪ ȯƲnjƲȯȷ٪ Ʌȉ٪ ƇǾ٪ ǛǾƫƲȬƲǾƫƲǾɅ٪ caregiverwhohelpsmake anexpectantmumfeel safe and comfortable before, during and after childbirth. A doula is different from a midwife in that they offer non-medical support to mothers – though most will also have plenty of knowledge of labour and delivery. There are qualifiedmultilingual doulas in Singapore, Ʌȉȉؙ٪ȷǕȉɍdzƫ٪ɬȉɍ٪ǾƲƲƫ٪ǕƲdzȬ٪ɦǛɅǕ٪Ƈ٪dzƇǾǍɍƇǍƲ٪ƣƇȯȯǛƲȯؘ٪ÜǛȷǛɅ٪ doulasofsingapore.com for more information. U٪%U%v ى ½٪į-٪ ٪%Äj ٪ Ľ٪Uv٪ ¯ÝU½í-§j v%٪½O-ã٪O Ü-٪ ٪F v½ ¯½U ٪ tU%ÝUF-٪¤§G§ tt-٪½O ½٪Uv jÄ%-¯٪ ݁v%-§FÄj٪FjjÝ ف Ĥ٪ v%٪ -¯¯٪½٪ j ½ ½Uv٪ v¯Äj½ v½¯٪ v%٪§-GÄj §٪ tU%ÝUF-٪ÜU¯U½¯٪ ½٪Ot-ؘ٪U½٪ j¯٪ Uv jÄ%-%٪vUv-٪F§--٪¤Oã¯U½O-§ ¤ã٪ ¤¤Uv½t-v½¯٪½٪¯½§-vG½O-v٪Ĥ٪ ãÄ§٪Uv½-§v j٪tį j-¯٪¤¯½ ف U§½O٪ ٪ق ½OUvg٪g-G-j٪-â-§ U¯-¯٪v٪¯½-§U%¯؝ Laurian

learns of your preferences, discusses your options, helps you feel comfortable, encourages you and reassures you. My doula, Deanna Kearns, was there for both my births and she was a great help in the birthing process. – I can’t imagine having to do this all onmy own! Because of her experience of seeingmany different scenarios, she was able to reassure me that things were as expected or normal so I didn’t have to worry unnecessarily. Tina

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BUMPS & BABES

Birth Plan: Yes or No?

A birth plan is a list of preferences and expectations put together by a mum-to-be or a couple around how they would like the birth process to unfold. In short, it indicates to medical staff and maternity care providers what you would like to happen when you’re having a baby. The concept is believed to have developed ǛǾ٪ɅǕƲ٪į٪ƇȯȉɍǾƫ٪ɅǕƲ٪dzƇɅƲ٪ׇֿׅ־ȷؘ٪ÝǕǛdzƲ٪ǛɅ ى ȷ٪ǾȉɅ٪ an essential document – and, of course, birth will often proceed in unexpected ways that make adhering to the contents of the plan impossible – formanywomen it’s auseful way to start thinking about birth anddelivery, and a handy communication tool. ÝƲ٪ƇȷǯƲƫ٪ȉɍȯ٪ȬƇǾƲdzdzǛȷɅȷ٪ɦǕƲɅǕƲȯ٪ȉȯ٪ǾȉɅ٪ɅǕƲɬ٪ prepared a birth plan for the big day, and the kinds of things they included in it.

I had birth plans for both births. One thing useful I would share is to print your own copy to bring to the hospital, even if they have it ȉǾ٪˚dzƲؘ٪½ǕƲ٪ǕȉȷȬǛɅƇdz٪ƤȉɍdzƫǾ ى Ʌ٪ ˚Ǿƫ٪Ƈ٪ƤȉȬɬ٪ȉnj٪Ǽɬ٪ƣǛȯɅǕ٪ȬdzƇǾ٪ njȉȯ٪Ǽɬ٪˚ȯȷɅ٪ƣǛȯɅǕؘ٪U٪ƣȯȉɍǍǕɅ٪ my own copy for my second! Tina %§٪½-٪§- tt-v%-%٪ v٪-j- ½UÜ-٪ ف ¯- ½Uv٪ - §jã٪Uv٪½O-٪¤§-Gv v ã؛٪ ¯٪ ٪§-¯Äj½ؙ٪tã٪ U§½O٪¤j v٪ Ý ¯٪¯Ut¤jã٪½٪O Ü-٪ v٪ Äv-Ü-v½FÄj٪¯Ä§G-§ãؘ Marie

Fȉȯ٪Ǽɬ٪˚ȯȷɅ٪ƣƇƣɬؙ٪U٪ǕƇƫ٪Ƈ٪ǼƲɅǛƤɍdzȉɍȷ٪ Ʌɦȉ ع ȬƇǍƲ٪ƣǛȯɅǕ٪ȬdzƇǾؙ٪ɦǛɅǕ٪ƲɥƲȯɬɅǕǛǾǍ٪ȷȬƲƤǛ˚Ʋƫ٪ njȯȉǼ٪ȷȉnjɅ٪dzǛǍǕɅǛǾǍ٪Ʌȉ٪ȷȉȉɅǕǛǾǍ٪ǼɍȷǛƤؙ٪ȉǛdzȷؙ٪˚Ʌ٪ƣƇdzdzȷ٪ and mantra cards. I had read a hypno-birthing book and was willing to give childbirth a try without drugs. The reality was that after 10 hours and an intense amount of pain, I was only two centimetres dilated. I decided at that point to have an epidural and things moved much more smoothly thereafter. After having four very different births from posterior birth (spine to spine) that was seconds away from a caesarean, to a long two-day labour, to relatively straightforward, I know that the health of the baby and the mother is ȬƇȯƇǼȉɍǾɅؘ٪ÝǕǛdzƲ٪U٪ɅǕǛǾǯ٪ǛɅ ى ȷ٪Ǎȉȉƫ٪Ʌȉ٪ȬdzƇǾ٪ɦǕƇɅ٪ your ideal birth would be like, it’s imperative that you go in with an open mind. It’s beyond your control what will happen on the day, so it’s best not to overthink it. Georgina

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BUMPS & BABES

My birth plan was simply to go natural if possible. For Ǽɬ٪˚ȯȷɅ٪ƤǕǛdzƫؙ٪U٪ɦƇȷ٪ƇɅ٪ full term at 40 weeks and yet there was no sign of dilation. My gynae suggested being induced at 41 weeks and I went for it. It took me two rounds of induction to be fully dilated after 24 hours! Jasmine tã٪ U§½O٪ ¤j v٪Ý ¯٪¦ÄU½-٪ F į-%٪v٪ O ÜUvG٪ ٪v ½Ä§ j٪ U§½O؛٪U½٪Ý ¯٪Ü-§ã٪ į-FÄj٪½٪O Ü-٪ ٪ ¤j v٪¯Uv -٪U٪F-j½٪ ½O-٪vħ¯-¯٪ v%٪ % ½§٪¤ U%٪ j¯-٪ ½½-v½Uv٪½٪ÝO ½٪ U٪O %٪ݧU½½-v٪Uv٪U½ؘ٪ Louise plan, I attended a CalmBirth workshop ƣɬ٪jȉɍǛȷƲ٪jɍȷƤȯǛ٪ǛǾ٪ Sydney. This helped prepare me mentally for a calm birth; I had ȷȬƲƤǛ˚Ƥ٪ƣȯƲƇɅǕǛǾǍ٪ techniques, music and relaxing massage planned. It did help me be calmer and more njȉƤɍȷƲƫؘ٪Ǿ٪ɅǕƲ٪ƫƇɬؙ٪ we forgot the music but I didn’t really notice in the moment. Julia Yes, I had a birth

I didn’t have a birth plan as such but my OBGyn was very involved and ensured that any of my concerns were heard and addressed. I think the best thing was not to ǕƇɥƲ٪ƇǾɬ٪ȷȬƲƤǛ˚Ƥ٪ȬdzƇǾȷ٪ but rather a focus on the outcome of a healthy baby, and to just go with whatever needed to be done to make that happen. There is so much you cannot control within the birth process that I think having too many plans can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety. Laurian

U٪%U%v ى ½٪O Ü-٪ ٪ U§½O٪¤j vؘ٪ ½٪ -٪Ov-¯½ؙ٪U٪%v ى ½٪½OUvg٪U٪ ½Ä jjã٪O %٪ vã٪U%- ٪ÝO ½٪ U٪Ý ¯٪%UvG٪ÝO-v٪U٪FU§¯½٪G½٪ ¤§-Gv v½؝٪tã٪¤OUj¯¤Oã٪Ý ¯ؚ٪ U٪O Ü-٪ v٪ ¯½-½§U U v٪ÝO٪ gvÝ¯٪t§-٪½O v٪t-ؙ٪¯٪U ى t٪eį½٪ GUvG٪½٪%٪ÝO ½٪O-٪ %ÜU¯-¯ؘ٪ U٪ ¯g-%٪tã٪¦Ä-¯½Uv¯ؙ٪%U%٪tã٪ §-¯- § O٪v٪½O-٪¤½Uv¯ؙ٪ Ľ٪ Äj½Ut ½-jãؙ٪U٪½§Ä¯½-%٪%§٪j Uؘ٪ U٪F--j٪½OU¯٪݁§g-%٪Ä½٪Ý-jj٪ F§٪t-٪ - į-٪U٪O %٪í-§٪ -â¤- ½ ½Uv¯٪F٪ÝO ½٪GUÜUvG٪ U§½O٪½٪tã٪FU§¯½٪ ã٪¯OÄj%٪ -٪jUg-ؘ٪Uv٪½O-٪-v%ؙ٪U٪v--%-%٪ v٪ -t-§G-v ã٪ -¯ §- v٪ ٪ق ÝOU O٪ %-FUvU½-jã٪U¯v ى ½٪Uv٪ vãv- ى ¯٪¤j vؘ٪ ¯٪U٪½OUvg٪t-v½ jjãؙ٪U٪Ý ¯٪ j-٪ ½٪ ¤-٪tÄ O٪ -½½-§٪GUvG٪Uv½٪ ½O- ½§-٪F§٪½O-٪-t-§G-v ã٪ ف ¯- ½Uvؘ٪ Amanda

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BUMPS & BABES

Planner

BabyShower

A baby shower allows a mum-to-be toenjoy thespotlightbeforeattention shifts to their impending baby. If you’reorganisingashower forafriend, here’s a checklist for making it a fun get-together – plus some ideas for games to play! 1 Set a budget and work out howmuch youwant tospend. Alsodecidewhether youneed toco-opt any friends to lendahand. 2 ÝȯǛɅƲ٪ ɅǕƲ٪ ǍɍƲȷɅ٪ dzǛȷɅؚ٪ ɅǕƲ٪ ǾɍǼƣƲȯ٪ ȉnj٪ guests often affects the location and budget. 3 ¤ǛƤǯ٪Ƈ٪ɥƲǾɍƲؘ٪ÝǕƲȯƲ٪ɦǛdzdz٪ɅǕƲ٪ȬƇȯɅɬ٪ƣƲ٪ held? Indoors or outdoors? At home, Ƈ٪ ȯƲȷɅƇɍȯƇǾɅؙ٪ Ƈ٪ Ƥdzɍƣ؟٪tƇǯƲ٪ ȷɍȯƲ٪ ǛɅ٪ Ǜȷ٪ dzƇȯǍƲ٪ enough to hold your guests. 4 %ƲƤǛƫƲ٪ ȉǾ٪ Ƈ٪ ƫƇɅƲ٪ ƇǾƫ٪ ɅǛǼƲؘ٪ ǕƲƤǯ٪ that the venue and caterers will be available then. Showers are normally held on a Saturday or Sunday, four to eight weeks prior to the due date.

5 %ƲƤǛƫƲ٪ȉǾ٪Ƈ٪ɅǕƲǼƲؘ٪Unj٪ɅǕƲ٪ȷƲɫ٪Ǜȷ٪ǯǾȉɦǾؙ٪ɦǛdzdz٪ the decorations be blue or pink? If not, go for something bright and cheerful, like lemon. 6 Send out the invites – these can be sent online or as cards (purchased or handmade). Include a phone number or email ƇƫƫȯƲȷȷ٪Ʌȉ٪§¯Ü¤ؘ٪¯ƲǾƫ٪ɅǕƲǼ٪Ƈ٪ǼȉǾɅǕ٪ȉȯ٪ȷȉ٪ȬȯǛȉȯ٪ to the date. 7 %ƲƤǛƫƲ٪ȉǾ٪ƫƲƤȉȯƇɅǛȉǾȷؚ٪ƣƇdzdzȉȉǾȷؙ٪ȷɅȯƲƇǼƲȯȷؙ٪ children’s clothes?Planwhat to include in take-home favourbags, if you’resupplyingthese. 8 Plan what to eat and drink, and what tableware will be needed: work with the restaurant, or if you’re doing it yourself, plan a menu of what you’ll make. Choose tasty, easy to-eat foods. 9 Thinkaboutwhatactivitiesareappropriate and what the mum-to-be will enjoy. (See the following page for some suggestions!) 10 Assign one person to take photos, to be given to the mother-to-be later, and designate another to write down the names of all gifts (andwho they’re from) so thenewmum can write thank-you notes later.

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Time! Having a few easy-to-play games at a baby shower is great fun – and they can be a good icebreaker if certain guests don’t know each other. Guess the Baby Food Materials: 5-10 jars of baby food, plastic spoons, paper, pens Remove the labels from baby food jars (or cover them with paper). Ask guests to guess the food either by smelling or tasting it. The person who gets most right, wins! Place the Dummy in the Baby’s Mouth Materials: blindfold, large picture of a baby, pictures of dummies, sticky tape Place a picture of a baby on the wall. Blindfolded, eachparticipanthas to try tostickadummy/pacifier as close to the mouth of the baby as possible. Give each person a piece of paper with the alphabet written vertically down the left side. They thenhave twominutes towrite baby-related words next to each letter (e.g., S = “swaddle”). The most baby words wins. Baby Pop Culture Materials: paper, pens, watch Divide guests into teams of two. Give everyone two minutes to write down as many song and movie titles as they can. The catch? Each title must include the word “baby”. Alphabet Game Materials: paper, pens

Baby Shower Memory Game Materials: paper, pens, string, pegs, baby items like bottle, bib, socks, hat etc Peg baby items along the string and have two people hold it up for one minute and then hide it. Everyone has three minutes to write down as many items as they can remember. The one with the best memory wins – and the mum-to-be gets to keep the items! Guess the Baby Picture Materials: sticky tape, a sheet of thick cardboard or a pinboard, paper, pens Ask invitees to bring a photo of when they were a baby. Stick the pictures on a board and have everyone guess who is who. The person who gets the most right wins a prize.

The Price is Right Materials: images of baby products, pens

Create a spreadsheet with 10 different baby items and four possible prices beside each image. Hand a copy to each guest and ask them to circle the price they think is right. The most correct prices wins!

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I don’t know why they call it morning sickness when it’s actually Ƈdzdz ع ƫƇɬ ع ƇǾƫ ع Ƈdzdz ع ǾǛǍǕɅ٪ȷǛƤǯǾƲȷȷ؝٪½ǕƲ٪˚ȯȷɅ٪ trimester for me is like a three-month hangover. Interestingly, morning sickness was worse with my daughters than with my sons (which was how I knew I was pregnant with a boy the njȉɍȯɅǕ٪ɅǛǼƲ خ ؘ٪tɬ٪ƣƲȷɅ٪ƇƫɥǛƤƲ٪Ǜȷ٪Ʌȉ٪ȬɍɅ٪Ƈ٪ banana by your bed and eat it before you get up. This saved many a race to ɅǕƲ٪ƣƇɅǕȯȉȉǼ٪Ʌȉ٪ƣƲ٪ȷǛƤǯؘ٪GǛǾǍƲȯ٪ɅƲƇ٪ and plain salty crackers were also my go-to remedies for morning sickness. Georgina

Did you have morning sickness? If so, got any tips on coping with it?

U٪¯ÄFF-§-%٪F§t٪% ã ف jvG٪v į- ٪%ħUvG٪ ½O-٪FU§¯½٪tv½O¯٪F٪tã٪ ¤§-Gv v ã٪ v%٪O %٪ ½§Ä j-٪- ½UvGؘ٪U٪¯Ä§ÜUÜ-%٪ v٪ § g-§¯ؙ٪ vv-%٪¯Ä¤٪ v%٪ ٪j½٪F٪¤ ½U-v -ؘ Marie

I only had morning sickness with my third child and that was triggered by smells (mostly cooking food!). I avoided hot food and ate small amounts regularly to avoid feeling sick. Laurian

U٪Ý ¯٪ j-¯¯-%٪ v%٪ %U%v ى ½٪O Ü-٪ t§vUvG٪ ¯U gv-¯¯٪%ħUvG٪ ¤§-Gv v ã٪ ٪ق U½٪ Ý ¯٪G-v-§ jjã٪ ¤§-½½ã٪¯t½O٪ -â -¤½٪½O ½٪ U٪O %٪ ٪Ü-§ã٪ G%٪ ¤¤-½U½-٪ F§٪tã٪FU§¯½٪ OUj%٪ÝOU O٪j-%٪ t-٪½٪¤Ä½٪v٪ t ¯¯UÜ-٪Ý-UGO½؝٪ Jasmine

I had terrible morning sickness for ƣȉɅǕ٪Ǽɬ٪ȬȯƲǍǾƇǾƤǛƲȷؙ٪dzƇȷɅǛǾǍ٪ɍǾɅǛdz٪ɦƲƲǯ٪ֿ׃٪ ǛǾ٪ƣȉɅǕ٪ƤƇȷƲȷؘ٪%ɍȯǛǾǍ٪Ǽɬ٪˚ȯȷɅ٪ȬȯƲǍǾƇǾƤɬؙ٪ I couldn’t stomach anything at all. Then I found that the baby didn’t mind bubble tea. (I never drank bubble tea before that.) I know it’s supposed to be unhealthy and all, but hey, whatever works, right? U٪Ƈdzȷȉ٪˚Ǿƫ٪ɅǕƇɅ٪ǛɅ٪ǕƲdzȬȷ٪ɦǛɅǕ٪ǾƇɍȷƲƇ٪Ǜnj٪ɬȉɍ٪ keep nibbling at crackers and never get to the point of being even slightly hungry. ½ȉ٪˚ȯȷɅ ع ɅǛǼƲ٪ǼȉɅǕƲȯȷؙ٪U٪ɦȉɍdzƫ٪ȷƇɬ٪ƫȉǾ ى Ʌ٪ worry about your baby. They’ll grow healthily even if you’re not able to stomach any food. Tina

I was very lucky to have only ǼǛdzƫ٪ǾƇɍȷƲƇ٪ɅǕƲ٪˚ȯȷɅ٪ɅȯǛǼƲȷɅƲȯ٪ and then be pretty okay for the rest of bothmy pregnancies. Julia

No morning sickness; I tried to get outdoors (either for exercise or to play with my son) every morning to get fresh air. Louise

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Queasy? Feeling No one likes morning sickness, but it’s one of the most common side effects of early pregnancy. Here are some facts, tips andadvice ongetting through it in one piece! Fact File Medically, the exact cause of morning sickness isn’t known, and the reason why some women suffer horribly from it and a lucky fewescape its curse, no one knows. The growth hormone hCG is a suspected culprit, as is a surge in oestrogen. There’s no one-size-fits-all cure, but certain remedies have better results than others, and finding out what works for you is really a trial and-error process. Eating little andoften is said tohelp, as nausea is often aggravated by a drop in blood sugar levels; eating five or six small meals that combinecomplex carbohydrates, proteins and good fats can be effective. Many have specific trigger foods (often fatty or spicy foods) or smells, which can change throughout the pregnancy. A handful of women are affected by nausea so severely that without proper management it can lead to chronic dehydration, weight loss and hospitalisation – a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. Ginger is considered a great natural remedy, whether it’s in crystallised or powdered form in sweets or tea. Mint tea and mint gum are also used frequently – the latter can be bought in Singapore for medicinal purposes at pharmacies. Vitamin B6 is thought to help reduce nausea andvomiting. Somewomen findsuccessusing an acupressure band (a soft wristband that acts on your pressure points to ease nausea).

They said it It seems comedians enjoy getting some mileage frommorning sickness; here’s a handful of examples: “How can I have morning sickness when I don’t get up till noon?” – Rita Rudner “I throw up an exorcist amount every day.” – Amy Schumer “I’m beginning to have morning sickness. I’m not having a baby, I’m just sick of morning.” – Phyllis Diller “My mother had morning sickness after I was born.” – Rodney Dangerfield

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Did you have any crazy food cravings while pregnant?

FOR BREAKFAST I HAD TO HAVE A CERTAIN KINDOF GRAIN CEREAL AND IT HAD TOHAVE PINEAPPLE, ROCKMELON AND BLUEBERRIES ON IT (AND THESE WERE NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE IN THEMIDDLE OFWINTER). I REMEMBER I USED TO GET DOUGHNUTS FROMCOLES SUPERMARKET IN SYDNEY DURINGWORK LUNCHES. ONE DAY I WENT AND THE DOUGHNUT-MAKINGMACHINE IN THE BAKERYWAS BROKEN AND THEREWERE NO DOUGHNUTS. I WENT FROMFURY TO TEARS IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS! Julia

YES, PARTICULARLY FOR MY FIRST CHILD I JUST HAD A VERY GOOD APPETITE. I WAS HUNGRY THROUGHOUT AND HAD CRAVINGS FOR PARTICULARLY SPICY FOOD! Jasmine

Yes! Lemon squash and cheese toasties. And basically, any form of carbs. I usually love seafood and smoked salmon but even the smell of it made my stomach

NORMALLY, I LOVE SWEET FOODS AND DESSERTS, BUT DURING MY PREGNANCY I CRAVED SALTY SNACKS AND SAVOURY FOODS. I ALSO CRAVED JUNK FOOD FROM MY HOME COUNTRY THAT’S SADLY NOT AVAILABLE HERE, SO I USED TO ROAM THE MALLS AND FOOD STALLS FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS. Marie No particular food craving for this pregnancy, but last pregnancy I craved chicken and meat (and I used to not

I didn’t have any cravings

with my first child – luckily, because I was freaked out about foods. I was so strict and didn’t eat salads or cold cut meats, only ate steak unless it was well done, didn’t eat soft cheese… the list went on. I think on one flight back home, I looked very suspicious because I only drank water the whole six-hour flight as I had read somewhere that plane food is not 100 percent safe. Obviously, I was a little crazy! I’d snapped out of that by number two. I ate pretty much anything and everything with her, but specifically chocolate! That was my craving. Cadbury chocolate. I think I ate almost a block of chocolate every few nights. Now, she has the biggest sweet tooth – not good for a dentist! As payback, my body said let’s have gestational diabetes for number three. So even if I did have cravings, I wasn’t allowed to eat anything fun! Amanda

turn during pregnancy. Georgina

Yes – all types of melon, particularly if they were unavailable! And Nutella by

eat much meat before my first pregnancy). Louise

the jarful, on a spoon, not bread. Laurian

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Losing Snooze? It’s estimated that having a new baby results in a whopping 400 to 750 hours lost sleep for parents in the first year! While some parents swear by a certain book, others have success with gadgets – from night lights that double as audiomonitors to wearable socks with sensors that track heart rate and oxygen levels – and phone apps; the latter include apps that play white noise to help baby sleep, live streaming apps so you can keep an eye on your sleeping baby and more. A much newer book that gets good reviews is The Helping Babies Sleep Method by Dr Sarah Mitchell, released in 2021.

Babies and toddlers canexperiencea rangeof sleep issues – which, in turn, end up making parents lose lots of sleep. Typical issues include bub not falling asleep unless rocked or patted – or pushed in a pushchair or driven in a car! Then there’s the inconsistency of sleep patterns: waking several times during the night (and being utterly alert!), only sleeping if co-sleeping with a parent, or, with older ones, continually getting out of bed. Some parents prefer not to subject their babies andtoddlers tosleeptraining, especially if they think it involves leaving them to “cry it out”. However, sleep training has been shown to improve the lives of many parents and little ones within a very short time. Plus, it doesn’t all involve leaving themtowail the night away, which can tug at the heartstrings! Books, Gadgets and Apps There are some great resources to help you in your quest for the holy grail of sleep – both for you and baby alike – including a number of well-known books on baby behaviour. Richard Ferber’s Solve Your Child’s SleepProblems andHarvey Karp’s The HappiestBabyontheBlock are twotitles thatmany mums will be familiar with. Gina Ford and Robin Barker are other big names in the field.

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How did you manage sleep deprivation?

I was so focused on getting through the birth that the sleep deprivation in the first six weeks was a huge shock. Feeding every three hours around the clock was beyond exhausting. I slept when the baby slept and askedmy husband to settle the baby in the early evening so I could get in some rest before the night shift. After the six-week period passed, I started with a loose form of sleep training based on the Tizzy Hall method: eat, play, sleep and repeat. The most important part was putting the baby down while still slightly awake, so they learnt the feeling of falling asleep unassisted. Georgina

I WOULD BREASTFEED AND CO-SLEEPWITHMY CHILDREN AND LATCH THEMDIRECTLY AS THISWAS THE ONLYWAY I COULD GET SOME REST, WITHOUT HAVING TOWAKE UP FULLY. Jasmine

I didn’t manage this very well at all. My first child screamed for the first six weeks and didn’t sleep. At six weeks, I went to a Day Sleep place called Dalwood House in Sydney; it helped teach me how to get my baby to sleep and it was a game changer for that child. With my second child, I had the opposite problem. She slept as a newborn, but then as a toddler was up a million times a night and wouldn’t go to sleep without someone in the room – she was a terrible teether, too. In our bed five times a night. I used to crawl out of her room so she couldn’t see me leave. We were so desperate and sleep deprived, I sought help. A friend recommended sleep educator Maryanne Sayers (maryannesayers.com.au) and she changed our lives. It wasn’t easy but my daughter started sleeping through the night, I couldn’t recommend it enough. I’d read all the books but I needed more and Maryanne was the best! Julia

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BUMPS & BABES Some anonymous quotes on babies and sleep Motherhood is an experiment in how long your body can function without adequate sleep or nourishment and fuelled only on adrenaline, caffeine and baby smiles.

My first child was a difficult sleeper so we were very sleep deprived. We really struggled with it and there seemed to be somuch differing advice but none of it was really practical – for example, put your baby to sleep while still awake – how?! Most people told us not to co sleep as it would create dependency and there was a lot of tears and frustration. In the end, we just had to struggle through it until he was old enough to find his own rhythm. In hindsight and withmore experience as a parent, as well as the availability of muchmore practical sleep advice now, I would have beenmuchmore relaxed around co sleeping. It’s my one big regret. Laurian

A sleeping baby is the new happy hour.

That moment when you go to check on your sleeping baby and their eyes ping open so you drop to the floor and roll out of the room like a ninja.

Babies smell sweeter when they are sleeping.

I TRY TO TAKE NAPSWHEN

THE BABY NAPS (I STILL DO THIS ON THEWEEKEND WHEN I’MOFFWORK). Louise

I’M STILL TRYING TO FIND THE ANSWER TO THAT. COFFEE IS MY ONLY SOLUTION! I’M STILL SLEEPINGWITHMY YOUNGER TWO BECAUSE THEYWAKE UP MULTIPLE TIMES IN THEMIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, ESPECIALLY MY YOUNGER ONE. SO I CO-SLEEP TO GET SOME FORMOF SLEEP – I GAVE UPWALKING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN ROOMS A LONG TIME AGO. Amanda they were born. Learning laid-back nursing and side nursing saved my life! I learnt these positions from Uma fromMother and Child. Tina I co-slept with my children from the time

I don’t need a lot of sleep to function, so I naively thought sleep deprivation would “not be that bad”. After all, cuddling a sleepy baby in the calm of the night sounded pretty dreamy. Oh, how wrong I was. My naivete flew out the window after the first few nights spent nursing a screaming newborn until the wee hours of the morning. My daughter didn’t sleep through the night until she was one. Every time my husband and I thought we had finally cracked the code of the perfect night routine, another sleep regression would hit. We tried every trick in the book. White noise. No white noise. Bouncing. Nursing. Co-sleeping. Baby massages. Singing. Sleep sack. No sleep sack. Eventually, at one year old, she started requiring less parental intervention to go to sleep. Marie

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Some new mums take to breastfeeding easily; for others, it can be a trial, leading to cracked or sore nipples,blockedmilkducts, inverted nipples, mastitis or thrush. Is it worth the trouble? We look at some of the i ssues around breastfeeding below.

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World Breastfeeding Week 2023 Celebrated each year from 1 to 7 August, this week is coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. One of its current aims is to restore breastfeeding support systems to pre-pandemic levels and strengthen these systems to help achieve global nutrition targets for 2025. bacterial cells to help with baby’s immune system, and white blood cells that can fight bad bacteria and viruses. When you or your baby are sick, the cell count in your milk increases! 7 Around threequarters of allmums produce more milk in their right breast than their left. 8 Water accounts for as much as 87 percent of breast milk. Trivia Corner 1 The first time a baby latches on to feedacts as a trigger for yourmilk producingcells tosupply your first breast milk, knownascolostrum. Colostrumhas special proteins that linebaby’s intestinal tract to protect it fromharmful bacteria. 2 It’s thought that havingawidediet and exposing your baby to more flavours during breastfeeding can result in them being less picky about food at the weaning stage. 3 While commonly white with a yellowish tinge, breast milk can also have shades of blue, green, pink, orange and more! It all depends what you’ve eaten or drunk. 4 You can burn up to 600 calories a day by breastfeeding. 5 Volume of breastmilk produced is not related to breast size. In short, themoremilkyourbabydrinks, themore your breasts produce, whether they’re small or large. 6 Breast milk contains stem cells that can repair internal organs,

Benefits of breastfeeding There are plenty of reasons why it’s at least worth persevering with breastfeeding. For one thing, once you and baby get the hang of it, it canmake life somucheasier. You can feed your baby anywhere, without having to worry about sterilising bottles, trying to find hot water and carrying around enough formula for the day. (It’s also cheaper!) Plus, there’s a good body of research that suggests that breastfeeding has many benefits; these range from reducing the risk of diseases in mum and baby alike, to creating a better bond between the two, increasing mum’s chance of postnatal weight loss, and reducing the likelihood of childhood obesity. While rates of breastfeeding are low in Singapore, it’s still a more breastfeeding friendly city than you’d expect. Most shopping malls here have at least one nursing room where you can breastfeed, bottle feedandchangenappies. Someeven have sterilisers, hot water dispensers for making formula andhigh chairs for feeding solids. These areas can really help when If you’re having trouble with feeding, most hospitalsholdclasseseverymorning for new mums, and many run free breastfeeding clinics for former patients. Alternatively, you can seek help from one of the following organisations: Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group Breastfeeding workshops for mums-to-be, newmums and mums returning to work. 6337 0508 | breastfeeding.org.sg Mother and Child Lactation consultations in the hospital or at your home, and a Baby Café drop-in centre on Monday afternoons with a support network for mothers in a relaxed setting. 6836 0063 | motherandchild.com.sg Parentlink Breastfeeding counselling at your home. 6536 4626 | parentlink.com.sg you’re out and about on the go! Need some support?

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